blanchard



(No Mode1.\ 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

V. W. BLANGHARD 'FURNAGE. No. 414,137. PatentedOct. 29, 1889..

W41; AK i Jim/72% (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 2. V. W. BLANGHARD.

FURNACE.

No. 414,137. Patented Oct. 29, 1889.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 8.

' V. W. BLANCHARD n lw fllllllllilllll V I WITNESSES K: I; JJVVEJV 072flax/z nwhu. Wnhmnon. la a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'VIRGIL \V. BLANOI-IARD, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y.

FURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 414,137, dated October29, 1889.

Application filed June 21, 1889. Serial No. 815,073. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VIRGIL W. BLANCHARD, of New York, in the county ofNew York and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Furnaces; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form part of this specification, in which Figure l is a centralvertical section through my improved furnace. Fig. 2 is a transversehorizontal section through the furnace in the plane of bricks J. Fig. 3is a similar section in the plane of bricks I. Fig. 4 is a detailsectional view showing a modification of the water-drum and pipeattachments thereto. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view, enlarged,showing the water-dome and air-passages above the fuel-chamber. Fig. 6is a detail sectional View illustrating the water-pipe and bricks. Fig.7 is a detail vertical sectional view through bricks I and J, enlarged.

This invention is an improvement in furnaces wherein it is desired toproduce an intense heat; and its objects are to so construct the samethat the walls and the compartments therein will be kept from injury bythe heat through the medium of a water-circulation through pipes soarranged that while they reduce the temperature of the interior portionof the bricks do not affect the surface heat thereof; or, in otherwords, while not visibly affecting the interior temperature of thefurnace, the interior portions of the bricks are kept at a comparativelylow temperature, making them self-sustaining and preventing collapsethereof when the heat generated in the furnace becomes excessive.Another object is to permit removal and replacing of worn-out fire-brickwithout tearing down the furnace-wall.

The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of thefurnacewall, the mixing-chambers thereof, the supports for saidmixingchambers, and the arrangement of water chambers andcirculating-pipes, as will be clearly understood from the followingdescription.

Referring by letters to the drawings, A designates the outer casing ofthe furnace, com posed of a metal shell a and a Wall a of porousfire-brick closely jointed, between which and the shell is a layer a ofasbestus paper or other suitable non-heat-conducting material. At theinner side of the wall a is a vertical coil of pipes B, which lie closeto wall a and are inclosed between layers of annularly-chamberedfire-bricks b b, the channels in said bricks being greaterin diameterthan pipe B, to permit expansion and contraction thereof.

The furnace may be, and is preferably, cylindrical in oross-section, asindicated in the drawings.

At the lower part of the furnace, in the aslrpit and fire-chamberthereof, is an interior lining O of fire-brick, which protects the lowerportion of coil B from the heat.

C designates the grate, and C C the openings into the ash pit and fuelchamber, closed by suitable tightly closing doors. Above the grate issuspended an annular metallic vessel D, which is supported upon wall aby means of stout metallic arms or peripheral flange D, as shown. Thisvessel is made, preferably, of boiler-plate, and is provided withstay-bolt and braces to enable it to withstand interior pressure andsupport exterior superimposed weight. The opening in the center of theannulus is in the vertical axial line of the furnace. Vessel Dcommunicates by a pipe D with a water-supply and a water forcing engine,preferably. (Not shown.)

d cl are a series of short vertical tubes en tering the vessel throughthe bottom plate thereof, with which they make steam-tight joints. Theends of these tubes in vessel D are closed,but perforated, to permitentrance of Water therein in any suitable manner, the tubes being thusmade to prevent sediment entering therein. The tubes depend two or threeinches below the bottom of the Vessel D, and, as shown, are arranged onradial lines, three on each line and at regular intervals apart. Thelower ends of the two outermost tubes are closed by elongated caps, orbent outwardly at right angles into an L shape, as shown, the curvedportions projecting outwardly. The innermost tubes have their lower endsprovided with T heads orcaps cl, projecting both outwardly and inwardly.

E designates a series of fire-bricks below vessel D. These fire-bricksare form ed on the segment of a circle, as indicated in Fig. 1, and areprovided at the top with transverse L shaped grooves E E, as shown. Thebricks are longer than the width of vessel D, and are preferably form edwith ton gue-and-groove joints on their sides, so that closed joints canbe made between them if properly laid. The bricks E are arranged in theform of an arch or dome above the fire-chamber and below vessel D, andare partly suspended from the latter, as shown in Fig. 1, by means ofthe angular ends of tubes d, which are engaged by the angular grooves Eof the brick E, as shown.

' nulus, as shown.

Theouter ends of the brick E are supported on the top of the wall 0, andtheir inner ends project beyond the inner periphery of the an- In someinstances tubes (1 may be omitted, as the bricks are beveled on theirlower faces, and will be supported partly on wall 0 and partly by theirabutment against each other, as is evident, their upper faces lyingclose against the lower plate of vessel D. It will be observed byreference to Fig. 1 that a space is left between the outer and the brickcan be removed.

end of bricks E and the coil B, which permits the bricks to be movedoutwardly until the grooves E and tubes d are disengaged, In putting upa furnace this space between all the bricks, excepting the last one, canbe filled with packing, such as mineral wool or pulverized fire-brick,the packing being omitted from the one brick to permit that to he slidback and removed if it becomes necessary to repair the dome or replaceany of the bricks E, as after one of said bricks is removed the entirearch can be readily taken apart withp out disturbing the other portionsof the furnace, and the key-brick can be readily replaced also, as isevident, by reversing the operation necessary for its removal.

Upon the outer end of the bricks E are partly supported the innerannular wall of fire-brick F, which protect the inner wall of vessel D.The lowermost bricks F have an inwardly-proj ecting rib F, which engagesthe head D of the inner row of tubes D, and thereby supports bricks Findependently of bricks E. The wall F rises above the top of the vessel,as shown, and its bricks preferably have tongue-andgroove joints witheach other and with brick E, as shown. The space above vessel D andbetween the tops of bricks F and the coil B is filled with pulverizedfirebrick, as shown, forming a bed f, upon which is supported a metal orfire-brick annular casting G, having a depending rib G, thatis madeconvolute to form a convolute air-channel g, communicating with anair-supply pipe through an opening g in the furnace-wall. Above castingGis abed of fire-brick H. Upon wallF and the bed fis supported anannular wall of fire-bricks H, I, and J, through the lower portions ofwhich are openings it, communicating with the innermost volute ofpassage g. Wall h rises flush with the top of bed H, and upon it isbuilt up a cylindrical annular series of fire-bricks I, as shown clearlyin Fig. 1. These fire-bricks are made of segments of circles, and, asshown, occupy onequarter circle each, or any portion of a segment of acircle; but a greater or less number to a tier may be employed, asdesired, or according to the size of the furnace. The bricks have acentral vertical passage I ,which communicates with the inner volute ofthe airchannel g, top lateral channels it, a vertical opening I to theinside of passage 1, and exterior outwardly-projecting end lugs at theirmeeting edges, when two bricks are laid together, as shown, forsemi-cylindrical projections 1 through which is a central opening I halfbeing in each brick. The several tiers of bricks I are laid similarlyabove each other, so that passages I and openings I and I correspond.Air only is designed tobe passed through the passages and channels inbricks I.

J designates an annular series of fire-bricks superimposed on bricks I,and likewise formed on the segment of acircle. Each tier of bricks Jcorrespond in general contour to the tiers of bricks I, and are laid tocorrespond therewith. Bricks J have openings J corresponding withopenings 1 and also openings J 2 corresponding with openings I Inthetops of bricks J are formed central depressions or traps j, thatcommunicate with the central flue 5 of the furnace by lateral passages jand by bent passages 7' with vertical diving-fines 6 6, which are formedbetween a cylindrical fire-brick wall K and bricks I and J, as shown.This wall K is supported upon floor H, and is composed of imperforatejointed fire-bricks, as indicated, rising to the top of bricks J, andtouching the projections of bricks I and J, as shown. The bottom row ofbricks K have lateral radial passages K, by which the heat-ed productscan'escape from flue 6. These passages K communicate with the bottom ofa series of mixing-chambers L, composed of alternate fire-bricks L and Lthat are provided, respectively, with central and side fines and withtop and bottom passages, by which the currents of gases passingtherethrough are alternately expanded and compressed and directedoutwardly an d inwardly, being caused to take a tortuous course in theirpassage therethrou-gh, such bricks beingclearly described in myapplication for furnace filed April 17, 1889, Serial No. 307,614.

Between wall K and bricks L L is a Vertical coil of pipes M, laidbetween firebricks 1), similar to coil B. The lowermost bricks L have alateral passage L communicating with passage K, and in the floor H,below the mixin g chamber, is an annular trap or a series of traps 77.communicating with the air-passage by perforations h as shown. Themixing-chambers do not rise entirely to the top of the wall K, but leavean annular chamber 7 between said wall and the casing of the furnace,the coils B and M being protected in said chamber 7 by fire-brick walls71'; k, as indicated in the drawings.

N designates a heavy fire-brick top supported on a and K, and closingthe tops of the spaces between the other walls and the flues, asshown,leaving a contracted opening 4 over fine 5, as shown.

Above the furnace, and supported on the top N, is an annular water tankor jacket 0, with which coil 13 communicates through a connection B andcoil M through a connection M, as shown. The outer shell CL of thecasing is extended above the sides of the tank 0, and the spacesurrounding said tank is filled with porous fire-brick, mineral wool, orother non-heat-conductin g packing, as shown.

P P designate vertical pipes passing through openings J in bricks J andI of bricks I, communicating at their lower ends with vessel D and attop with tank 0, and Q Q are pipes passing vertically through openings J2 and I of bricks J and I, and communicating with tank 0 and vessel D.By said pipes a water-circulation is maintained from the tank to thevessel through the bricks, as is evident. The connections between pipesP and Q,vessels D, and tank 0 must be steam-tight, and as regards thetank may be arranged as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 4. In the latter thepipes Q pass through vertical sleeves n n in the tank and then bend overand enter the top thereof. The sleeves n are tightly expanded in theheads of the tank-brace, the latter taking the place of tie-bolts, andthe connection of the pipes, being at top, can be more readily andconveniently reached. The tank may be connected with a gage N forascertaining the depth of water therein.

0 designates a plate closing the top of the furnace above tankO.

3 designates a fire-brick or metal flue leading from opening 4 to thetop of the furnace, and through which fuel may be fed into the top ofthe furnace. This flue must connect with a suitable tightly-closedfeeding device, by which fuel can be fed into the furnace without escapeof gases therefrom.

In the drawings I have shown my improved steam-boiler connected to thefurnace, which boiler is clearly described in my application for patentfiled April 9, 1889, Serial No. 306,535, and it communicates with theoutlet-fiue of the furnace, as shown, the shell of the furnace properbeing extended over the waterleg of the boiler and the casing, formingclose joint therewith. The upper part of coil 13 is extended into theprojecting portion of the casing, as shown. This boiler has a steam drumR, and a mechanical circulation of water may be maintained through itspipes and drum, as described in said application. The tank 0 isconnected by a pipe 'r with the steam drum, as indicated in thedrawings. The lower portion of coils B and M are preferably connected toa pump (not shown) to establish mechanical circulation therethrough. Thefurnace is provided with suitable air-inlet and feed pipes, and itsoperation is substantially similar to that of my furnace above referredto, with the exception that by the employment of the watercirculatingsystem described I am able to raise the temperature to a greater heatwithout injury to the brick. \Vhen at an extreme heat fire-brick becomesplastic and is unable to support great weight, owing to its poorconducting qualities, it takes considerable time before an intense heaton the surface of the brick affects the interior thereof, and my pipesare so located that the water circulating therethrough keeps down thetemperature of the interior parts of the brick several inches from itsheated surface, and thus preserves a rigid non-yielding stratum of brickin the f urnace, notwithstanding the extreme temperature therein. Theheat that is absorbed through the brick is taken up by the water in thepipes, and I thus am enabled to utilize this heat for heating feed-wateror for generating steam. Owing to the thickness of the brick, however,and the slow conductivity thereof, even were cold water ejected into thepipes after the bricks were at high heat externally, there would besmall or no effect produced on them externally, and I am able to keep upthe heat without any noticeable expenditure of fuel on account ofwater-coils. The peculiar construction of the casing and the arrangementof non-heat-conducting substances and water-coils in the wall thereofkeep down the temperature of the exterior shell and prevent loss of heatby radiation.

In operation the gases generated in the fuel-chamber rise into line 5,where they are mixed with air jetted therein from the passsages inbricks I, and at the top of the flue 5 they escape through the bricks Jinto the flues 6, wherein they descend until they escape into themixing-chambers L, being again mixed in their descent through flues 6with air jetted from passages I in bricks I. I11 these mixing-chambersthe gases and air are thoroughly commingled and all the combustibleproducts of combustion consumed, and solid products being caughtin thetraps in the chambers and bricks J are retained until Volatilized andconsumed. The heated gases passing from the furnace into the steamboilercasing deliver their heat to the water pipes therein, and thus generatethe steam.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination,in a furnace, of the ash pit, a dome above the same, a water-contain ingvessel in said dome, incased with fire brick and non -conductingmaterial, and the water-circulating pipes connected to said vessel,substantially as described.

2. The combination, in afurnace, of a waterholding Vessel suspendedabove the fire-charm ber thereof, a fire-brick dome below said vessel,and the fire-brick Walls and mixing-cham I15ers supported thereon,substantially as speci- 3. The combination, in a furnace, of thechanneled and perforated fire-bricks I J, arranged above thefire-chamber thereof, and the Water-circulating pipes passing throughsaid fire-bricks, but not exposed to the fire,

substantially as specified.

4. The combination of the fire-chamber, its fire-brick dome, awater-holding vessel above said dome, and the channeled and chamberedfire-bricks above said vessel, with the pipes connected to said vesseland rising through said fire-bricks, as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination, in a furnace, of a Water-holding vessel suspendedabove the firechamber and the fire-brick suspended from said vessel,substantially as described.

6. The combination, in a furnace having a fire-chamber, a dome abovesaid chamber, a central flue, perforated and channeled firebrickssurrounding said flue, and descending flues exterior thereto, With aWater-holding vessel in said dome protected by the firebricks thereof,and the Water-pipes rising therefrom through said bricks, as and for thepurpose set forth.

7. The combination, in a furnace having a central flue above thefire-chamber, and a Wall of perforated and channeled fire-bricksurrounding the same, the descending fiues exterior thereto, and thefire-brick Wall inclosing said descending Hues, with a Watercirculatingcoil exterior to said Wall and its inclosing fire-brick, allsubstantially as set forth.

8. The combination, in a furnace having a central flue, perforated andchanneled firebrick Walls surrounding the same, exterior descendingflues, and a series of ascending mixing-chambers,with aWater-circulating coil inolosed in fire-brick Walls between thedescending fines and mixing-chambers, and

a water-circulatin g coil exterior to said chambers, substantially asset forth.

9. The combination of the furnace having a fire-brick dome,Water-holding vessel above the same protected by fire-brick, and aseries of channeled and chambered fire-bricks above said vessel, with awater-holding tank above said fire brick, and the pipes extendingthrough said bricks and communicating with the tanks and vessel, allsubstantially as de- 12. In a furnace, the combination of a series ofbricks I, having vertical openings and lateral passages and channels,substantially as described, and the series of water-pipes passingthrough the vertical openings in said bricks, as and for the purpose setforth.

13.'The combination, in a furnace, of the casing having an outer metalshell, an inner and outer fire-brick Wall, and a water-circa lating coilB between said Walls, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination, in a furnace, of a Water-holding vessel suspendedabove the firechamber thereof with a series of fire-bricks suspendedfrom and protecting said vessel, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I a'ffix my signaturein presence of two Wit-nesse.

' VIRGIL W. BLANOHARD. \Vitnesses:

ALEX. S. STEUART, P. L. BRooKs.

